Humiliation that Blossomed into Joy

“The Scripture which he [the Ethiopian] read was this:

‘He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth.’

‘I ask you [Philip], of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?’ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” [1]

Led to the slaughter...
Silent
Humiliated
Deprived of justice
Martyred
From this scenario, Philip preached Jesus.

How many of us are willing to be humiliated, be deprived of justice, be martyred, and remain silent? But what does the Scripture say?

“Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” [2]

Jesus foresaw the coming joy even while on the cross. His joy is souls like you and me saved for eternity. He brought us to His Father and made us sons and daughters. We will soon be in heaven together with all who have come to faith in God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. Hallelujah!

[1] Acts 8:32-35
[2] Hebrews 12:2